Cable



Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to cables and more particularly to cables forrubber covered tracks for crawler type vehicles, conveyors and the like,belts, cables for elevators and other purposes where the cable issubject to flexing as in passing over sheaves.

This application is a continuation in part oi. my application for rubbercovered flexible tracks, Serial Number 588,722, flled January 25, 1932,which issued December 31, 1935, as Patent No. 2,025,999.

An object of this invention is to provide a rubber covered cable inwhich the cable is flexible comprising a plurality of strands whereineach of the strands is made up of a plurality of wires so as to providea flexible cable and a cable which will be highly resistant toelongation and wherein the rubber covering acts as a lubricant andthereby materially prolongs the life of the cable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable inwhich the cable comprises a plurality of strands each consisting of aplurality of wires wherein the rubber covering extends into the cableand locks between the strands and also with the wires thereof whereinthe outer strands are in tight engagement with the central stranded wirecore of the cable. The cable is preferably constructed for thispurposewith the outer strand lays in engagement with the central strand butspaced with respect to each other in a so-called "loose lay; steel multiwire multi strand cables, this construction provides tensile strengthwithout elongation and also flexibility.

A further object of the invention comprises the method of producing suchrubber covered cables wherein a fluid compound of rubber is flowed underheat and vacuum into the cable so as to adhere to the metal wiresthereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable fora rubber covered flexible track wherein the track is provided with crossanchor or drive members which are preferably rubber covered and betweenparts of which the rubber covered cables are secured.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a rubber covered cable andrubber covered flexible tracks with driving members and guide members.

Another object of the invention is to provide such rubber covered cablesin tracks, belts and the like which will provide longitudinal flexiblemembers with a maximum lateral rigidity.

Another object of the invention is to provide belts and the likeincorporating rubber covered cables which will have high tensilestrength with minimum elongation for power transmission and which willoperate at high speeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide such rubber covered cableswhich are particularly adaptable for various applications such as inbelts, tracks, conveyors and the like and in their use provide forinsulation between the steel cable members and members with which theirexterior surface or the surface of a body member compounded therearoundwill provide an insulating means with respect to cooperating memberssuch as sheaves when applied in belts or metallic cross members as inthe rubber covered track and belt construction and cross members ofconveyors.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will be setforth in detail in the following speciflcation in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and as hereinafter claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section showinga portion of a track employing rubber covered cables in accordance withmy invention.

Figure 2 is an inner plan view thereof partly in section.

Figure 3 is a. transverse section taken on line 3-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one of the cablemembers.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal detail view partly in section of the cablemember.

Figures 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views similar to Figure 4further illustrating the rubber covered cables.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a modified driving or anchor crossmember showing the manner of applying the rubber covered cables thereto.

Figure 9 is a sectional view thereof taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view thereof taken on line Ill-i0 of Fig. 8.

Figure 11 is a iragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form ofthe track showing a portion of a drive wheel.

Figure 12 is a side view of the track shown in Fig. 11 partly inlongitudinal section.

Figure 18 is a detailed view partly in plan showing a further modifiedform of the track which like Figures 11 and 12 illustrates guide plates.

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view thereof.

Figure 15 is a side elevation thereof partly in section.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary section showing the application of the rubbercovered cables in belts.

Figures 17 and 18 are transverse sectional views of V belts includingthe cables.

Figure 19 is a plan view showing a further applicatlon of the rubbercovered cable members to slat type conveyors, and

Figure 20 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings a portion of an endlessrubber covered flexible track Ill is shown mounted on a driving ordriven wheel ll of a tractor drive wherein the rim of the wheel isprovided with inner and outer side flanges I! which engage the sides oftrack ill and teeth l3 at intermediate positions between flanges I2which engage intermediate driving members M mounted on cross or anchormembers IS within the body of the track so that the driving of the trackis along the midway position thereof and in line with or substantiallyin line with cable members I 6.

Cables i6 which are rubber covered as hereinafter set forth arepreferably wound around forms so as to obtain the required length of thetrack with the end of a cable secured, as for example by taping it to anadjacent turn as indicated at H in Figure 2 so as to maintain it inplace until the track tread body rubber is vulcanized to the parts andthe winding is continued until the required number of turns for thetrack are obtained when the various ends of the cable are similarlysecured in place.

Cable i6 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 consists of a plurality of strandsI B surrounding a central strand i9 and each strand is formed of aplurality of metal wires preferably steel so as to provide a cablehaving a high tensile strength yet flexible and adapted for use in suchrubber covered tracks, belts, elevator cables and general purposes. Asshown the cable is preferably formed with the outer strands tightlyengaging the inner strand but slightly spaced from each other in amanner which will be termed loose lay. These spaces 20 permit rubber toflow in around the outer strands to provide an additional lock for therubber covering 2| as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The cable is necessarily cleared of impurity such as dirt, oil and thelike before the rubber covering is added and the spaces 20 allow therubber to flow around the strands to form a lock for the rubber coveringin addition to the outer covering thereof. In covering the cables afluid or rubber compound is impregnated into the cable under heat and ina vacuum so that the air will be withdrawn and the rubber willimpregnate the cable entering the spaces to the central strand and tosome extent between the individual wires of the strands so as to locktherewith for holding in addition to the adhesion to the metal. By thiscoating process the adhesion is assured and when such rubber coveredcables are employed in tracks or belts this pre-coating with the fluidtype rubber will readily adhere to the rubber used in the tread of thetrack or belt surface. After this covering and impregnating of thecables with fluid rubber the covering may be vulcanized or when used intracks or belts and this pro-coating is thin it has been found that itwill receive the required vulcanizing when the main tread body rubber isvulcanized.

On cables l8 atintervals correspondin with the spaces oi the teeth onthe driving or driven wheels H are mounted anchor members it which arealso given a pro-coating of rubber or rubber compound in a manner toclosely adhere thereto. These driving members as shown in Figs. 1 and 2have their faces adjacent to the rubber covered cables curved to providespaces 23 for rubber cushions between their edges and the cables whichis particularly important when the track is in a bent position as itpasses over the curved rim of the wheels ll. These cross members areclamped on the cables by means of rivets, bolts or the like 24 and thedrive between them and the cables is through the rubber coverings 0f themembers and the tread rubber. While these cross members may constitutethe driving members for direct engagement with the driving teeth theyare preferably provided with intermediate drive members I4 mounted onthem and secured in place by means of rivets or the like 24 so that whenworn they may be replaced or exchanged for other forms of intermediatedrive members.

After assembling the cables and cross members thereon the body rubberwhich is a rubber compound suitable for tread or belting surfaces isforced and molded into place over the asscm bly being formed so as toprovide a series of apertures 21 centrally of the track and isvulcanized to the required degree and in this vulcanization process thebody rubber readily combines with the rubber covering of the cables andcross members. It will be noted that this central series of apertures 21provide openings through which the drive teeth project for engagementwith the driving members and also through which dirt passes.

The manner in which the drive members are spaced along the cables so asto accurately engage with the teeth of the wheels has been fullydisclosed in my prior application hereinbefore referred to; likewise theconstruction of the track and various other modifications of the crossmembers and intermediate drive members have also been disclosed thereinand the function of the parts as well as their construction fullydescribed.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate forms of the cable members similar to thatshown in Figure 4. In accordance with Figure 6 the central strand orcore strand 28 is spirally wound steel wire and of a larger diameterthan the outer strands 29 which are likewise spirally wound steel wires.In Figure 7 the inner strand 30 and outer strands 3| are similarlyspirally wound steel wires and the strands are substantially the samesize. These cables are exaggerated to illustrate the position occupiedby the rubber. The space between the outer strands is very small onsmall diameter cables such as are used in the track for moderate sizetractors. In this instance the cables are in diameter and in order togive the track a high degree of longitudinal flexibility the requiredtensile strength is obtained by em playing a number of turns of thecable arranged side by side along the pitch driving line of the track asillustrated. This arrangement also increases the lateral rlgidity of thetrack. In such small cables it is diflicult to detect the differencebetween the standard cable and one with the special wide spacing betweenthe strands. Various types of steel cables are made with varyingcloseness" of flt between the strands in heavy cables, however it isimpractical to have strands set too close to each other due to having astiffening effect on the finished cable.

In the application of the cables to a track, Fi ures 8, 9 and. 10 showth cables positioned in a modified type oi cross members 32 and 33 whichprovided with projections 2,386,719 3 grip a plurality at such cablesIi, nvebeing shown or slats I! are clamped by means oi bolts 01 the inposition and the cross members being held tolike 4 to the tensioningmembers II. In this argether by a hollow rivet 34 threaded for receivingrangement of the cable tensioning members each bolts which hold wearplates, guides. traction cleats, slats and the like. In thismodification it will be noted that the rubber covered cable supplies theinsulation at the fastening points, the rubber covering of the cablebeing in contact therewith and also with the edge portions or the crossmembers which diverge from the cable in the lengthwise directionthereof.

Figures 11 and 12 and 13, 14 and 15 show further modified forms oi suchtracks in which the rubber covered flexible cables provide the tensilestrength for the track. In Figures 11 and 12 the anchor members 85 areprovided with combined intermediate drive members 36 and guide members31 secured thereto drive wheel 39 is provided with a flange 4B whichcooperates with the central series of guide plates 31 and teeth 4|extending therefrom which engage the tooth contacting surface of theintermediate drlving member. In Figures l3, l4 and 15 tread bodysections 42 are mounted on cross members 43 in which the cables 16 aresecured and at the outer ends of these cross members are guides 44 whichare secured by bolts 45 thereto. These guide members engage the sides ofthe driving wheel rim and maintain the track in place in a similarmanner as the central guides shown in Figures 11 and 12. In addition tothe guide members the ends of the cross members 43 are 46 having sockets41 therein which cooperate with cross driving member aligners 4B. Thesealigners as shown are completely surrounded by rubber and thus do notact to limit the longitudinal flexing of the track. These aligningmembers are rubber coated, these members being provided with sufllcientrubber to prevent metal to metal contactand wear. The aligners may alsobe provided with dowel pins 49 either of soft metal or hard rubber whichcooperate with the projections 48 for holding the aligners centrallywith respect to the sockets 41 while molding the tread rubber.

The cables l6 are particularly adapted for belts and in theirapplication thereto Figures 16, 17 and i8 illustrate V belts for powertransmission. In Figures 16 and 17 one large rubber covered cable 50 isillustrated while in Figure 18 a plura ity cables arranged laterally areshown. In these belts the precovered steel cables are positioned asnearly as possible along the efiective pitch driving line; in fact thecable members determine the pitch line of the drive and should bepositioned accordingly in the body rubber 52 vulcanized around them.

These belts stand extreme tension and operate at high speeds for powertransmission and will operate over comparatively small sheaves. Thisresults in flexing which requires great adhesion qualities in the entireconstruction. The construction of the belts permits the transmission ofthe power which would be impossible with previous types or fabric rubberbelt constructions which have been used in numerous machines fortransmitting low power due to their very limited tensile strength. Theserubber covered cables are likewise applicable to belts of flatconstruction or of round cross section and are suitable for elevatorcables and the like.

Figures 19 and 20 illustrat a further application 01' the cableconstruction as applied to special products such as a slat type conveyoras illustrated. In this arrangement the cross members by bolts or rivets38. The

has a plurality oi rubber covered cable members it arranged laterallyand embedded in the body rubber covering designated as the finishedtensioning members which are vulcanized to the cables. As best shown inFigure 20 the body may be slotted as indicated at 58 to provide seatsfor the slats 88. This conveyor construction is made in the form of anendless belt and the sprocket teeth drive it through, properly shapingthe contact points or the slats in a similar manner to the track drivearrangement. This construction provides many advantages over such chainconstructions, among others being its flexibility and strength andcapability of operating at much greater speeds.

It will be noted that in each of the applications employing this cablethe adhesion of the rubber to the strands of the flexible steel cable isan essential feature and the body material applied over the cables mustlikewise combine with the rubber covering on the cables. The characterof this body material may vary in accordance with the application sincein vehicle endless track treads the body must necessarily be of suitablecomposition for that purpose and in other applications as in belts itmay be similar thereto. In belts the body may include laminated fabricincorporating the cables and likewise in tread. bodies within the scopeof this invention.

Several embodiments illustrating my invention having been described itis apparent that variations in form may be made within the spirit of myinvention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A flexible band track for track laying trac tors and the likeincluding rubber covered flexible metal tensioning members, rubbercovered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubberencasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered metalmembers, intermediate driving members on said cross members, and guidesfor cooperating with the tractor drive wheel secured to the ends of saidcross members.

2. A flexible band track for track laying tractors and the likeincluding rubber covered flexible metal tensionlng members, rubberscovered cross members at intervals therealong, tread body rubberencasing and adhering to the surface of the rubber covered metalmembers, guides for cooperating with the tractor drive wheel on saidcross members, sockets on the ends of said cross members, and alignersextending into said sockets and interconnecting the ends of successivecross members.

3. A flexible member for tracks, belts and the like comprising a rubberimpregnated and covered flexible steel wire cable and a body of rubberin which said rubber covered cable is embedded and with the rubber coverof which said body rubber unites, said body rubber having a conformationfor cooperating with tractor wheels, pulleys and the like as an endlesstrack or belt therefor and wherein the cable is located at the pitchdrive line of the rubber body in which it is embedded.

4. A flexible member for tracks, belts, and the like comprising aplurality of rubber impregnated and covered stranded wire cablesextending longitudinally in a common plane and in substantially parallelrelationship with respect to each other and a body compound of rubber inwhich said rubber covered cables are embedded and with which the outerrubber covering on the cables combines, and wherein the cables arepositioned along the. pitch drive line of the belt.

5. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or drivenwheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioningelement comprising at least a pair of parallel longitudinally extendingrubber impregnated and covered wire cables, rubber covered anchormembers extending crosswise of said tensioning element at spacedintervals along said tensioning element, a body of rubber in which saidrubber covered cable and anchor members are embedded and with which thebody of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincideswith the driving face of the wheel and a ground engaging surface, atrack driving member supported by each of said anchor members, and atrack guide for each of said anchor members.

6. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or drivenwheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioningelement comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered wirecables extending longitudinally in a common plane and in substantiallyparallel relationship with respect to each other, rubber covered anchormembers extending crosswise of said tensioning element at spacedintervals along said tensioning element, a body of rubber in which saidrubber covered cable and anchor members are embedded and with which thebody of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincideswith the curved driving face of the wheel, a track driving membersupported by each of said anchor members, and a track guide for each ofsaid anchor members.

7. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or drivenwheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioningelement comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered wirecables extending longitudinally in a common plane and in substantiallyparallel relationship with respect to each other, rubber covered anchormembers extending crosswise of said tensioning element at spacedintervals along said tensioning element, a. body of rubber in which saidrubber covered cable and anchor members are embedded and with which thebody of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincideswith the curved driving face of the wheel, a wear plate member removablysecured to each of said anchor members, adapted to engage a sprocketwheel to impart movement to the track, and guide lugs cooperating withsaid wear plates.

8. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or drivenwheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a plurality oflongitudinally extending rubber impregnated and covered flexible wirecables, rubber covered cross members in clamping engagement with saidlongitudinally extending rubber impregnated and covered flexible wirecables at spaced intervals along said cables, a body of rubber in whichsaid rubber covered cable and rubber covered cross m mbers are embeddedand with which the body of rubber unites, said body having a curvedsurface that coincides with the driving face of the wheel. a trackdriving member carried by each of said cross members, and a track guidefor each of said cross members.

9. In a track or the like adapted to travelover driving or driven wheelsof the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioning elementcomprising a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending rubbercovered wire cables, rubber covered cross members provided at spacedintervals along said tensioning element. a body of rubber in which saidrubber covered cable and cross members are embedded and with which thebody of rubber unites, said body having a curved surface that coincideswith the driving face of the wheel, a track driving element secured toeach of said cross members, and a track guide element extending fromsaid track driving element toward the curved driving face of the wheel.

10. In a track or the like adapted to travel over driving or drivenwheels of the type having endwise curved driving faces, a tensioningelement comprising parallel longitudinally extending rubber impregnatedand rubber covered flexible wire cables, rubber covered cross members inclamping engagement with said cables at spaced intervals therealong, atrack driving element secured to each of said cross members and a trackguide member extending from each of said track driving elements towardthe driving face of the wheel.

11. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of rubber impregnated andcovered flexible wire cables extending longitudinally of the belt insubstantially parallel relationship with respect to each other, and abody of rubber in which said cables are embedded and with which therubber cover of the cables are united, said rubber body having aconformation for cooperating with a rotating surface. said cables beingdisposed with their axes substantially in the neutral axis of the 12. Aconveyor belt comprising a flexible rubber body having a conformationfor cooperating with a rotating surface and a plurality of rubberimpregnated and covered flexible wire cables embedded in the rubber bodyand having the rubber cover thereon united with the rubber of said body,said cables extending longitudinally of the belt and disposed with theiraxes in a plane passing through the neutral axis of the belt, and rubbercovered members associated with said body extending transversely to saidcables.

13. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of substantially endlessrubber bodies, a plurality of rubber impregnated and covered flexiblewire cables embedded in and extending longitudinally of each of saidrubber bodies in substantial parallel relationship with respect to eachother. the rubber covering on said cables being united with the rubberbodies in which the cables are embedded, and members connecting saidrubber bodies and extending transversely of the same.

EDWARD C. MYERS.

